With so many messages being broadcast from the runways at fashion weeks in New York and Europe, it can be hard to translate the thousands of outfits into coherent statements that will help us all as we shop when the next season’s clothes arrive in stores. That’s the job of analysts, fashion directors and retailers, and we checked in with a few to see what they thought of New York Fashion Week.

First up is Sharon Graubard of Stylesight[1], a company which covers the shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris like an army going into battle. Graubard sends out the troops and sends intelligent runway “flashes” on what’s trending. Some of her observations on New York, which she shared with me during a phone interview earlier this week, included:

“One trend I feel strongly about is the big coat. I think it is going to be a key item for fall. The fashion-forward (customer) will do jumbo over jumbo, but most women will wear it with a slim pant or skirt and high boots.”

A model walks the runway during the Rebecca Taylor Fall 2013 fashion show. The line's use of wine and blue is a color trends, says Sharon Graubard of Stylestight.

She also likes what she’s calling “the big, gutsy pullover in jersey or woven fabrics.” It’s like a sweatshirt and can replace a jacket. Graubard says that tough-chic looks and military influences are continuing. Overall, she’s seeing a trend she’s calling “grown-up grunge,” from such designers as Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu, Nanette Lepore and Timo Weiland behind it.

While black and white are dominating colors — “I was surprised at how much there was,” Graubard admitted — she also detected some interesting combinations at Fashion Week. Particularly blue and wine shades combined in outfits. “I liked that mix,” she said.

Ken Downing[2], senior vice president and fashion director and Neiman Marcus, goes to tons of shows and it a careful observer of what he sees. He’s not shy about pontificating on the trends and for that we love him.

“We’re seeing many music references this season,” Downing said. “It’s the influence of the Metropolitan Museum exhibit of punk fashion and the show at the Victoria & Albert and the New Museum.” It’s glam rock and grunge, David Bowie and biker jackets. We’re liking Chelsea boots and reefer coats, the whole rock and roll, tough-girl look.”

Menwswear fabrics also come into play, he says, noting that exploded versions of such traditional patterns as Prince of Wales and houndstooth are showing up in a variety of fabrics. The same is true for animal prints, which are being done in exaggerated and abstract ways.

A model walks the runway at the Prabal Gurung fall 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

For all the ideas on the runways, it’s the retailers who have to figure out what of the looks their customers will buy and that’s where Max Martinez[3] comes into the picture. With stores in Denver, Boulder and Aspen, Colorado, he has a variety of customers he’s catering to. Despite all the black and dark clothes on the runway, he says women want color and pattern. And he’s not buying into big in a big way. “There are lot of women who don’t want that much volume in outerwear,” he says, noting the proportions can be overwhelming if you don’t have a model-like figure. He says he keeps the Colorado woman and lifestyle in mind when looking at collections. “I’m always looking for great casual clothes — easy wear-now style.”